2025 in Canadian music

The following musical events and releases that happened in 2025 in Canada.

Notable events

• March - The East Coast Music Association faces backlash from some members over the sudden firing of its CEO and concerns from some over a lack of transparency. ^[1]
• March 7 - Following the controversy around singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie's long-claimed indigenous Canadian heritage, both the Juno Awards and the Polaris Music Prize revoke awards that she had previously won. She is also removed from the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. ^{[2] [3] [4]}
• March 30 - Tate McRae is the leading winner at the Juno Awards of 2025 where Anne Murray received a lifetime achievement award. ^{[5] [6] [7]}
• April 6 - 20th Canadian Folk Music Awards ^[8]
• May 13 - Jacob Lewis, a singer from Butlerville, Newfoundland and Labrador, wins the fifth season of Canada's Got Talent . ^[9]
• June 10 - Alongside the announcement of the initial longlist for the 2025 Polaris Music Prize, the Polaris committee and SOCAN announce the creation of a new prize for individual songs, replacing the former SOCAN Songwriting Prize. The main Polaris album prize also drops in value from $50,000 to $30,000. ^{[10] [11]}
• September 13 - 2025 Canadian Country Music Association Awards ^{[12] [13]}
• September 16 - Yves Jarvis wins the 2025 Polaris Music Prize for his album All Cylinders . ^{[14] [15]} The new Polaris SOCAN Song Prize is won by Mustafa for "Gaza Is Calling", while the Heritage Prize is won by The Organ for Grab That Gun (public vote), and Jane Siberry for The Speckless Sky (jury vote). ^[16]

Dates TBA

• Prism Prize
• 47th Félix Awards

Albums set to be released

A

• Bryan Adams, Roll with the Punches - August 29
• Alexisonfire, Copies of Old Masters Volume 1 - November 7 ^[17]
• Naya Ali, We Did the Damn Thing - February 7 ^[18]
• Aqyila, Falling Into Place - March 28
• Arcade Fire, Pink Elephant - May 9
• Rich Aucoin, Synthetic Season 4 - October 30 ^[17]
• Austra, Chin Up Buttercup - November 14 ^[17]
• Aysanabee, Edge of the Earth - June 20 ^[19]

B

• Backxwash, Only Dust Remains - March 28
• Bahamas, My Second Last Album - October 24 ^[20]
• Jill Barber, A Holly Jolly Jill Barber - November 21 ^[17]
• Quinton Barnes, CODE NOIR - January 10
• Quinton Barnes, BLACK NOISE - June 6
• The Barr Brothers, Let It Hiss - October 17 ^[21]
• bbno$, bbno$ - October 17
• The Beaches, No Hard Feelings - August 29
• The Besnard Lakes, The Besnard Lakes Are the Ghost Nation - October 10
• Justin Bieber, Swag - July 11
• Justin Bieber, Swag II - September 5
• Big Wreck, The Rest of the Story - October 24
• The Birthday Massacre, Pathways - April 11 ^[22]
• Black Atlass, Seven - June 4
• Jason Blaine, Russham Road - August 29
• Blond:ish, Never Walk Alone - February 14 ^[18]
• The Blue Stones, Metro - March 28
• Bob Moses, Blink - October 17 ^[23]
• John Borra, Last Dance at the E Room - October 24 ^[24]
• The Bros. Landreth, Dog Ear - November 14 ^[17]
• Basia Bulat, Basia's Palace - February 21 ^[25]
• The Burning Hell, Ghost Palace - March 7 ^[18]

C

• Daniel Caesar, Son of Spergy - October 24
• Alessia Cara, Love & Hyperbole - February 14 ^{[25] [26]}
• Casper Skulls, Kit-Cat - April 11 ^[27]
• Change of Heart, In the Wreckage - March 4 ^[28]
• Choses Sauvages, Choses Sauvages III - March 28
• Cleopatrick, Fake Moon - March 14
• Cold Specks, Light for the Midnight - April 9 ^[29]
• Rose Cousins, Conditions of Love, Vol. 1 - March 14 ^[30]
• Alex Cuba, Indole - November 7 ^[17]

D

• Marie Davidson, City of Clowns - February 28 ^[18]
• The Dears, Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! - November 7 ^[31]
• Art d'Ecco, Serene Demon - February 14 ^[25]
• The Deep Dark Woods, The Circle Remains - October 3
• Mac DeMarco, Guitar - August 22
• Cris Derksen, The Visit - November 6 ^[17]
• Destroyer, Dan's Boogie - March 28 ^[18]
• Digawolf, Trapline - April 25 ^[32]
• The Dirty Nil, The Lash - July 25 ^[33]
• Peter Dreams, Peter Dreams and MOONRIIVR - February 14 ^[25]
• Marc Dupré, Parce que ce soir - November 14

E

• Kathleen Edwards, Billionaire - August 22

F

• Stephen Fearing, The Empathist - March 13 ^[34]
• Finger Eleven, Last Night on Earth - November 7 ^[17]
• Foxwarren, 2 - May 30 ^[35]
• Debby Friday, The Starrr of the Queen of Life - August 1 ^[18]

G

• Garou, Un meilleur lendemain - April 4 ^[36]
• Sebastian Gaskin, Lovechild - February 21 ^[37]
• Gloin, all of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry) - March 28 ^[38]
• Matthew Good, Zero Hours - September 26
• Great Lake Swimmers, Caught Light - October 10 ^[39]
• Tom Green, Home to the Country - January 24 ^[40]

H

• Georgia Harmer, Eye of the Storm - August 15 ^[41]
• Hotel Mira, The After Party - November 6 ^[17]

J

• James Barker Band, One of Us - September 5 ^[42]
• Yves Jarvis, All Cylinders - February 28 ^[18]
• Jets Overhead, Ordinary Dreamers: Rarities and Demos Volume 1 - November 7 ^[17]

K

• Peter Katz, Everything Unfolding - November 7 ^[17]
• Kaytranada, Ain't No Damn Way! - August 15
• Brett Kissel, Let Your Horses Run – The Album - February 28 ^[43]

L

• Pierre Lapointe, Dix chansons démodées pour ceux qui ont le cœur abîmé - January 25 ^[44]
• Bells Larsen, Blurring Time - April 25 ^[45]
• Ada Lea, When I Paint My Masterpiece - August 8
• Jade LeMac, It's Always at Night - November 7 ^[17]
• Lights, A6 - May 2
• Isabella Lovestory, Vanity - June 27 ^[18]
• The Lowest of the Low, Over Years and Overnight - May 2 ^[46]

M

• Kate Maki, Impossible Knot - May 9 ^[47]
• Dan Mangan, Natural Light - May 16 ^[48]
• Mappe Of, Afterglades - September 19
• Cory Marks, Sorry for Nothing Vol. 2 - October 3 ^[49]
• Mae Martin, I'm a TV - February 27 ^[50]
• Sarah McLachlan, Better Broken - September 19
• Tate McRae, So Close to What - February 21 ^[51]
• Men Without Hats, On the Moon - November 14 ^[17]
• Amy Millan, I Went to Find You - May 30 ^[52]
• Mother Mother, Nostalgia - June 6 ^[53]
• Anne Murray, Here You Are - September 5 ^[54]

N

• N Nao, Nouveau Langage - January 31 ^[25]
• Nav, OMW2 Rexdale - March 28

O

• Odonis Odonis, Odonis Odonis - November 14 ^[17]
• Old Man Luedecke, She Told Me Where to Go - November 14 ^[17]
• Optikz, The Optikz EP - November 7 ^[17]

P

• PartyNextDoor & Drake, Some Sexy Songs 4 U - February 14
• Jonathan Personne, Nouveau Monde - March 14 ^[55]
• Lou Phelps, Chèlbè - April 4
• Preoccupations, Ill at Ease - May 9
• William Prince, Further from the Country - October 17 ^[56]
• Propagandhi, At Peace - May 2
• PUP, Who Will Look After the Dogs? - May 2
• Purity Ring, Purity Ring - September 26

R

• Allan Rayman, #1 Girl - February 28
• Jessie Reyez, Paid in Memories - March 28
• Rheostatics, The Great Lakes Suite - November 21 ^[57]
• Ribbon Skirt, Bite Down - April 11 ^[58]
• Robert Robert, Boost - October 24 ^[59]
• Josh Ross, Later Tonight - September 19 ^[60]

S

• Ron Sexsmith, Hangover Terrace - August 29
• Shad, Start Anew - October 31 ^[61]
• Silverstein, Antibloom - February 21 ^[25]
• Silverstein, Pink Moon - September 12 ^[25]
• Sister Ray, Believer - April 4
• Skiifall, Lovers Till I'm Gone - January 10 ^[18]
• Sloan, Based on the Best Seller - September 26 ^[62]
• John Southworth, The Red Castle
• Spiritbox, Tsunami Sea - March 7 ^[63]

T

• Tariq, Scroll Before You Sleep - January 24
• Three Days Grace, Alienation - August 22
• Two Hours Traffic, I Never See You Anymore - May 23 ^[64]

U

• U.S. Girls, Scratch It - June 20

V

• Jake Vaadeland, One More Dollar to Go – April 25 ^[65]
• Various Artists, Songs from the Gang - April 11 ^[66]
• The Violet Archers, The Duo Sessions - November 7
• Virginia to Vegas, an examination of it all - November 7 ^[17]

W

• Colter Wall, Memories and Empties - November 14 ^[67]
• Patrick Watson, Uh Oh - September 26 ^[68]
• The Weather Station, Humanhood - January 17 ^[69]
• The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow - January 31 ^[70]
• Cameron Whitcomb, The Hard Way - September 26 ^[71]
• Royal Wood, Dear John - October 17
• Roy Woods, Dark Nights - April 25

Deaths

• January 24 - Jane McGarrigle, record producer and music manager ^[72]
• March 23 - Kevan Staples, rock guitarist and songwriter (Rough Trade) ^[73]
• June 3 - Juliette Powell, former host of Electric Circus ^[74]
• June 12 - Steven Leckie, punk rock singer (The Viletones) ^[75]
• June 24 - Serge Fiori, rock singer (Harmonium) ^[76]

References

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2. Press, David Friend The Canadian (March 4, 2025). "Buffy Sainte-Marie says she never denied U.S. citizenship, has returned Order of Canada medals". thecanadianpressnews.ca. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
3. Friend, David (March 7, 2025). "Buffy Sainte-Marie loses top Canadian music honours including Junos, Polaris and Hall of Fame induction". CityNews/The Canadian Press. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
4. Kevin Maimann, "Buffy Sainte-Marie stripped of Juno, Polaris music awards". CBC News, March 7, 2025.
5. Press, David Friend The Canadian (March 31, 2025). "'We are not for sale': Michael Bublé sets patriotic tone at Junos as artists boast of Canadian pride". thecanadianpressnews.ca. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
6. Megan Lapierre, "JUNO Awards Backtrack on Pulling Reggae Category from 2025 Awards Following Backlash". Exclaim! , September 18, 2024.
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10. Press, David Friend The Canadian (July 10, 2025). "Mustafa, Nemahsis shortlisted for Polaris Music Prize as cash reward drops in value". thecanadianpressnews.ca. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
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17. Kerry Doole, "New & Upcoming Canadian Releases: Long-Running Bands The Dears, Finger Eleven and Alexisonfire Release New Projects". Billboard , November 7, 2025.
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22. THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE : Drop 'Sleep Tonight' included on 'Pathways' album out in April
23. Bob Moses: the hypnotic fusion of indie house and electronic music arrives in Bayamón. Mixmag Caribbean, April 4, 2025.
24. Alex Hudson, "John Borra Celebrates Toronto Studio with 'Last Dance at the E Room' Album". Exclaim! , July 8, 2025.
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27. Alex Hudson, "Casper Skulls' "Dying in Eight Verses" Reflects on Generational Cycles of Rock". Exclaim! , March 5, 2025.
28. Allie Gregory, "Change of Heart Announce New Album, Book Release Shows at Toronto's Newest Venue". Exclaim! , January 28, 2025.
29. Richie Assaly, "After a harrowing spiral into darkness, Toronto singer Cold Specks returns with breathtaking comeback album". Toronto Star , April 11, 2025.
30. Gregory, Allie (September 27, 2024). "Rose Cousins Details New Album 'Conditions of Love - Vol 1,' Plots Canadian Tour". Exclaim! . Retrieved November 23, 2024.
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33. The Dirty Nil ready new album, The Lash, for July 25th release date & unveil the tip of the spear with first single, "Gallop of the Hounds"
34. Sam Duerksen, "Victoria's Stephen Fearing explores the power of empathy in song". Victoria News , February 1, 2025.
35. Ethan Shanfeld, "How Foxwarren Made a Folk Rock Album With a Hip-Hop Ethos". Variety , May 30, 2025.
36. Valérie Lessard, "Quand Garou se chante dans ses propres mots". Ici Radio-Canada, April 4, 2025.
37. Richie Assaly, "From Tataskweyak Cree Nation to Toronto: Juno-nominated singer Sebastian Gaskin is ready to ‘bust down the door’ with his debut album". Toronto Star , February 21, 2025.
38. Ian Gormely, "Gloin Break the Feedback Loop on 'All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)'". Exclaim! , March 27, 2025.
39. Megan Lapierre, "Great Lake Swimmers Ready New Album 'Caught Light,' Share Title Track". Exclaim! , July 23, 2025.
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46. Karlie Rogers, "Lowest of the Low Announce 'Over Years and Overnight,' Plot Tour". Exclaim! , March 28, 2025.
47. Megan Lapierre, "Kate Maki Announces First New Album in Nine Years 'Impossible Knot,' Shares 'All I Get'". Exclaim! , March 5, 2025.
48. Allie Gregory, "Dan Mangan Unveils New Album 'Natural Light'". Exclaim! , March 6, 2025.
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51. Horowitz, Steve J. (November 14, 2024). "Tate McRae Announces New Album 'So Close to What,' Plots 'Miss Possessive' Global Tour for 2025". Variety . Retrieved January 23, 2025.
52. Siméon Dumont, "Amy Millan lancera un premier album en 15 ans". Le Canal Auditif, February 12, 2025.
53. RELEASE/LIVE: MOTHER MOTHER announce new album, new single and Brixton Academy date in July....
54. Cassandra Szklarski, "Anne Murray gives fans the gift of a new album, on her 80th birthday". CBC Music, June 20, 2025.
55. Alex Hudson, "Jonathan Personne Charts a Majestic Power Pop Course on 'Nouveau Monde'". Exclaim! , March 14, 2025.
56. Allie Gregory, "William Prince Announces New Album 'Further from the Country'". Exclaim! , July 9, 2025.
57. Alex Hudson, "Rheostatics to Launch New Album with Toronto Performance Featuring Alex Lifeson". Exclaim! , July 29, 2025.
58. Megan Lapierre, "Ribbon Skirt's 'Bite Down' Is Irresistible Indigenous Futurism". Exclaim! , April 11, 2025.
59. Cédric Bélanger, "Robert Robert — Nouvel album: la recherche des 30 secondes d’extase". Le Journal de Québec , November 1, 2025.
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61. McRae-McNicholls, Neesa (October 29, 2025). "'Making it is making it,' Toronto rapper Shad discusses brand new album, upcoming Canadian tour and 20 years in the game". Now Toronto. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
62. Megan Lapierre, "Sloan Detail New Album 'Based on the Best Seller,' Share 'Live Forever'. Exclaim! , June 16, 2025.
63. Hadusek, Jon (November 18, 2024). "Spiritbox Announce New Album Tsunami Sea, Unveil Single "Perfect Soul": Stream". Consequence . Retrieved November 23, 2024.
64. Calum Slingerland, "Two Hours Traffic Preview New EP with 'On the Spot'". Exclaim! , February 26, 2025.
65. Carter, Rosie (April 14, 2025). "Jake Vaadeland has a new album that'll rock your socks off". The Rodeo. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
66. Allie Gregory, "Sloan, the Sheepdogs, City and Colour, Bahamas Wish Joel Plaskett Happy Birthday with 'Songs from the Gang' Covers Album". Exclaim! , April 11, 2025.
67. "Colter Wall Set To Release First Album in Two Years: 'Memories and Empties'". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
68. Brad Wheeler, "After losing his voice, Patrick Watson marks a return from forced silence in new album". The Globe and Mail , September 25, 2025.
69. Green, Walden (October 2, 2024). "The Weather Station Announces New Album Humanhood, Shares Video for New Song: Watch". Pitchfork . Retrieved November 23, 2024.
70. Aswad, Jem (January 13, 2025). "The Weeknd Cancels Rose Bowl Concert, Delays 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Album Release Date Due to L.A. Fires". Variety . Retrieved January 14, 2025.
71. Daykin, James (August 8, 2025). "Cameron Whitcomb announces debut album 'The Hard Way' & shares new single 'Fragile'". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
72. Brad Wheeler, "Savvy manager Jane McGarrigle oversaw careers of her folk-playing sisters, Kate and Anna McGarrigle: The eldest of the three, she was also musically talented, singing backup and playing keyboards on the road and in the studio, as well as handling the business side of things for her quirky, mischievous siblings". The Globe and Mail , February 7, 2025.
73. David Friend, "Kevan Staples, co-founder of Toronto rock band Rough Trade, has died". The Globe and Mail , March 25, 2025.
74. Press, David Friend The Canadian (June 11, 2025). "Juliette Powell, ravishing MuchMusic host turned insightful tech critic, dies at 54". thecanadianpressnews.ca. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
75. Godfrey, Hayden (June 16, 2025). "Toronto punk pioneer who consorted with Debbie Harry and Johnny Thunders dies at 67". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025.
76. "Serge Fiori est décédé à l’âge de 73 ans". Ici Radio-Canada, June 24, 2025.